Before I start catching up, I wanted to tell you guys how wonderful it has been to be welcomed so warmly. I only post sporadically, and you guys have been great. My boys are 12 (Andrew) and 9 (Jake). They are both on a rec team for soccer, both are on rec teams for baseball, and Andrew is on a select tournament team. When you add in our commute (they go to school in Dallas, as it has the largest school in the nation for bright children with learning differences, plus my husband and I work there as well) life gets even crazier.
I'm the one who posted that her SIL usually does the cooking (SAHM with more flexibility than my sister or myself) for the entire family, in exchange getting free groceries (paid by Dad) and clean-up help in the kitchen. SIL has started trying some of the recipes and has become an addict, asking me for any new recipes.
Anyway, her kids also play baseball, so she's rarely cooking these days as we're all having to grab food when we our separate families have time. I've challenged myself to see that my family eats healthier than we have in the past during this time of year. The recipes, especially crockpot ones, are going to help out a great deal. There will still be plenty of days where we grab fast food -- I just don't see any way around that, but there will also be days with healthier meals due to you guys!
Tonight it's leftover chicken provencal stoup and bread.
WFD at your house?
ETA: If you guys recall, I used to have a personal trainer. She had a baby last fall and I quit the personal training studio (NO ONE was as good a trainer for me as she was and it was a lot of money to fork out to not get the same quality of training). Anyway, I spent some money and bought the things I would need to work out at home.
Never happened. Apparently I don't have the discipline. There are way too many distractions here at home.
Long story short, I have joined The Rush. It is an awesome place and believe it or not, they have some accessible machines!! That sold me!!
Anyway, I just had to tell someone. I'm really excited.
That is very exciting news! Good for you. I'm not one of those who is naturally motivated to exercise, but when I remember to make time, I feel so much better.
A quick morning check in....I am starting to get a bit down as my mother's b-day is Friday, so if I seem a bit off you all know why.
Sending prayers for you. My Mom passed a year and 3 months ago, and I know I wouldn't have done as well without the support of my friends on a few DIS threads I'm regularly post on, plus RL friends and my Faith.
Lauren- Tell Andrew even the big guys strike out. Hope he gets more action in the next game. A trick that always worked on white pants for my oldest son was to do a prewash soak with a water/vinegar combination. Spin the water out then put straight vinegar on the tough stains. Why coaches choose white pants for kids is something I'll never understand. It's just an invitation to see how dirty they'll be at the end of the game.
I have an Andrew, too.

Both the boys' rec teams have white pants this season. (Thankfully, the tournament team coaches really "get" it and they wear gray and black.) I've been using shout, oxyclean and whever else is around to soak the knees, with marginal success, but after a couple of washes. I'm definitely going to try the simple green next.
Ok, this is completely off topic, but I need to vent!
My MIL called Alan last night to let him know that she is engaged to a man she has been chatting online with for the last 2 months. She drove, alone, to his home town to meet him on Saturday, and now they are engaged!!! I am just beside myself!!! This was how she met and married husbands number 3, 4 and 5. Those marriages lasted anywhere from 9 weeks to 13 months. I am so sick of it!!! She rushes in, gets disenchanted with marriage to a man she really doesn't know, and then expects her children to bail her out. AND THEY DO!!! I told Alan that this is it! I will not let my children be anywhere near her and this new guy! They have lost so many "grandpa's" that they are really confused about the whole thing. Luckily, Alan agreed. We sent an email to all his siblings letting them know that we will not be at any family gatherings where they will be.
She's completely inappropriate about all this. We even caught her talking explicitly about her "love" life with her teenage granddaughters! That's just not right! I think all of Alan's siblings are pretty fed up with this. Hopefully, they'll all stand firm and not run to her rescue when she decides she's done with this marriage and wants someone better.
Sorry to vent, but I'm really peeved about it!
Glynis -- that is just scary to me. You are spot on with your instincts, as usual.
I don't think I've posted any recipes yet, so I'll start with one of my favorite appetizers. It's easy and always popular.
Artichoke Dip
4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
4 ounces parmesan cheese, grated
1 14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained
½ cup chopped green onions
½ teaspoon garlic salt
½ cup mayonnaise
Paprika for seasoning
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together cheeses, artichoke hearts, green onions, garlic salt and mayonnaise. Sprinkle paprika over the top. Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly. I have tried this with low-fat ingredients, and it is still good.
Have a great day everyone!
